BOARD MEETING DATE: August 1, 2003
AGENDA NO. 18

Public Affairs Report

SYNOPSIS:

This report highlights the June 2003 outreach activities of Public Affairs which include: Environmental Justice Update, Community Events/Public Meetings, Business Assistance, and Local Governmental Activity.

COMMITTEE:

Not Applicable

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

This report summarizes the activities of Public Affairs for June 2003. The report includes four major areas: Environmental Justice Update; Community Events/Public Meetings (including the Speaker's Bureau, Visitor Services, Communications Center, and Public Information Center); Business Assistance; and Local Governmental Activity.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORT

This report reflects the activities of Public Affairs for the period of June 2003.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE UPDATE:

 Environmental Justice Activities:

Town Hall Meeting	A meeting was held in Pico Rivera on June 30 to report back to the community on the accomplishments and recommended actions of the Pico Rivera Air Quality Taskforce. Over 40 people attended the meeting. Dr. William Burke, Board Chairman, and executive management staff attended to hear and address the public’s air quality concerns.
Special Projects/Meetings	The fourth meeting of the Pico Rivera Air Quality Task Force was held on June 12. The Task Force, which includes community members, local businesses and representatives from local, state and federal governments, was formed to address and help resolve key air quality concerns in Pico Rivera. The Group has made recommendations which will be presented to the larger community on June 30, 2003.
	The AQMD is sponsoring a series of six Environmental Justice Workshops this summer to obtain feedback from the public, business and local leaders regarding their thoughts on proposed actions on air quality in their respective communities. The first meeting was held on June 26 in Ontario which drew over 30 attendees.
	The AQMD held a series of five Community Forums to receive input from the public on programs to address cumulative health impacts from air pollution. Staff will be incorporating comments received into a report that will identify and prioritize areas of concern and make specific suggestions on policy, regulatory reform and incentives to help further improve the air quality in neighborhoods with the most need for improvement.
CEQA Commenting	Documents received during June 2003:          37 Requests to AQMD for document review:   0 Documents to receive AQMD comments:   25 Comment letters sent out this reporting       period:                                               16

COMMUNITY EVENTS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Each year, thousands of residents of the South Coast District receive valuable information through events and meetings which AQMD sponsors alone, and in partnership with others. Information attendees receive includes tips on reducing their exposure to smog and its health effects, ways to participate in AQMD rule and policy development and assistance in resolving air quality-related problems. Highlights of events/activities undertaken during the month of June include:

• Two additional lawn mower exchange programs were held in June as part of "Mow Down Air Pollution 2003." The events, held at UC Riverside and Arrowhead Pond, replaced gas-powered mowers with zero-pollution electric ones to reduce smog-forming emissions. Over the course of the four events held this year, the agency exchanged 3,500 mowers.
• The AQMD served as a co-sponsor of Arroyofest, which promoted the benefits of biking and walking by allowing the public access to the Historic Arroyo Seco Parkway (Pasadena 110 Fwy). The event also focused attention on the future of transportation, open space and the need for a continued commitment to clean air and water.

SPEAKERS BUREAU/VISITOR SERVICES

AQMD receives requests for staff to speak on a variety of air quality-related issues. The requests come from a variety of organizations such as trade associations, chambers of commerce, community-based groups, schools, hospitals, and health-based organizations. The AQMD also hosts visitors from around the world who meet with staff on a wide range of air quality issues. The following describes the types of activities that were coordinated by this office in June:

• Public Affairs hosted a delegation from the Environmental Management Corporation of Korea who heard presentations on the AQMD, meteorological forecasting, and air quality monitoring.
• A delegation from CAPCOA's Public Affairs Committee received a presentation on fuel cells.
• University professors from Hong Kong Polytechnic received presentations on alternative vehicles, planning and forecasting.
• As part of the Enhanced School Outreach program, staff made presentations to approximately 80 schools since Earth Day (April 22, 2003).

COMMUNICATION CENTER STATISTICS

The Communication Center handles all AQMD main line, CUT-SMOG line and Spanish line calls. Below is a summary of calls received in June:
 

Main Line Calls	CUT-SMOG Line	After Hours Calls*	Spanish Line Calls	Total Phone Calls
5,652	3,433	2,168	68	12,092

*Saturday, Sunday, Holidays and after 9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTER STATISTICS

The Public Information Center handles phone calls and walk-in requests for general information. Below is a summary for June:
 

Visitor Transactions	Info. Pkgs. Mailed	Calls Received by PIC Staff	Calls to Automated System	Total Phone Calls
586	31	165	5,812	5,977

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

AQMD assists businesses by notifying them of proposed regulations so they can participate in their development. AQMD also works with other agencies and states to identify efficient, cost-effective ways to reduce air pollution and shares that information broadly. Additionally, staff provides personalized assistance to small businesses both over the telephone and by on-site consultation. Following are examples of assistance given in June.

• Conducted 119 free on-site consultations.
• Provided assistance in filing four requests for variance.
• Provided permit application assistance to 158 companies.
• Issued 35 clearance letters.

Examples of business that were assisted include:

• Drycleaners
• Furniture refinishers
• Auto body repair companies
• Cabinet makers
• Building management companies
• Construction management companies
• Screen printers
• Water treatment plants
• Restaurants

LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITY (Four-County Area)

AQMD staff provides outreach at monthly Board of Supervisors and City Council meetings. Staff also works with local government, state and federal officials to respond to their air quality concerns and issues. The following is a sample of the type of issues dealt with during the month of June.

Field Contacts:

• Staff to Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia
• Staff to Assemblyman John Benoit
• Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh
• South Gate Councilmember Maria Davila
• Los Angeles Councilmember Eric Garcetti
• Los Angeles Councilmember Tom La Bonge
• Los Angeles Councilmember Jan Perry
• Los Angeles City Attorney, Rocky Delgadillo
• Torrance Councilmember Hope Witkowsky
• Santa Monica Councilmember Michael Feinstein
• Los Angeles Council President Alex Padilla

Staff represented AQMD at the following meetings:

• San Bernardino Chamber’s Government Affairs Division
• SANBAG Board of Directors
• Northwest Riverside County Clean Cities Coalition
• Riverside County Transportation Commission
• League of California Cities/Inland Empire Division’s Legislative Task Force

Staff provided presentations at the following meetings:

• Buena Park City Council study session
• Laguna Niguel City Council
• Westminster City Council
• Villa Park City Council
• Indio Chamber’s Government Affairs & Public Policy Committee
• Upland Chamber’s Government Relations Forum
• Moreno Valley Chamber’s Legislative Affairs Committee
• Rancho Cucamonga Chamber’s Government Relations Committee

Constituent Issues:

• Senator Jim Battin’s office regarding developers’ complaints
• Coachella Valley Association of Governments regarding AB 2766 funds
• Senator Betty Karnette's office regarding monitoring studies conducted in the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles areas

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